Sunday, 20 January 2013

Current favourite beauty essentials

This year has been a bit up and down on the beauty front for me, I started the year still on antibiotics for my skin, had a massive acne flare over the summer, and now I'm working towards better skin.

Several things have helped me and I've really loved this year and I thought I'd share.

LogonaRhassoulMud
This fantastic product has changed my life! Mixed with a chamomile infusion, an oil blend containing a base of olive oil, essential oils of frankincense, rosewood, lavender, palmarosa and a maceration of St John's Wort, with a dash of sea salt. This makes the most amazing cleanser which helps keep pores clear and cleanses without affecting the acid mantle of the skin. It is also mildly exfoliating.

SimpleSpotZapper
I actually discovered this in 2011 but it has remained a staple of my routine. This quickly absorbed, non drying gel is enriched with lavender and zinc, two things that really help with healing and redness. The genius thing about this gel is that it doesn't dry the skin out, so make up sits beautifully on top. You can also see it working before your eyes almost!

Yoghurt
The regular white stuff you eat for hour breakfast, really. AHAs are the best form of exfoliation, and yoghurt is packed with lactic acid, one of those glorious AHAs. As well as that, the fat in yoghurt is great for plumping the skin, although apparently the lower the fat level, the more AHAs. I usually have 0.1% in for eating, so I just use that. Apply to clean skin with a foundation brush and leave for 10-15 minutes, then rinse. I like to remove with a hot flannel for the best effect.

ArganOil
I'm late to this bandwagon, but I'm glad I got there in the end. The oil is amazing, and the healing properties have to be seen to be believed. I've used some for an oil based serum using the same oils as my cleanser, to use overnight on my skin, and under my regular day moisturiser.

This stuff is really good. The ingredients list is tiny, and is full of nourishing ingredients. My skin loves it! I have really dry skin and therefore this is brilliant, but if you have slightly more normal/combination skin, there is a version for that. It makes an amazing base for make up as well, and works really well with the serum I made with argan oil underneath it.

MakeUpAlleyapp (Google Play link)
This is brilliant when I'm out and about, or just need to check reviews of a product. You obviously have to take all personal reviews with a pinch of salt and your own experience but I find Make Up Alley one of the most reliable sources of information on the efficacy of products.

Another 2011 discovery but one that I can't live without. The texture, colour and the coverage are all perfect for me. Despite having quite severe acne and scarring/redness as a result, I find the lighter coverage of Matchmaster (which is medium at best) combined with strategic concealer placement the best option for my skin and overall look. I always find that heavier foundations sit badly and feel awful, but this is a dream. I always forget I'm wearing make up!! Set with MAC Prep and Prime Translucent Finishing Powder, it provides a 'my skin but better' look. I actually think it is one of MAC's most underrated foundations.

Youtube

I have learned so much from Youtube make up videos, in particular Lisa Eldridge and Pixiwoo. Check them out for tips, tricks and new looks!